America changed its stand in 48 hours in the controversy over BBC documentary running in India. He tried to side with the BBC documentary citing freedom of the press. US State Department spokesman Ned Price called the banning of the documentary a matter of freedom of the press. He said that it is high time to highlight the importance of Freedom of Speech all over the world and the same applies in India.
Earlier on Tuesday, on the question of documentary controversy, Price had said – the shared values of both the countries make India and America two thriving and vibrant democracies.
America said – we highlight Democratic principles
At a press briefing on Wednesday, Price said Washington supports press freedom around the world. We consistently highlight the democratic principles, including freedom of expression, the freedom to choose one's religious beliefs, and the strengthening of human rights, that underpin our democracy. This is the only point through which we build our relationships around the world and on this point our relationship with India also gets strengthened.
Consider the ongoing controversy over the BBC documentary in India as a series...
The first episode was telecast on January 17, the government removed it the next day
The BBC released the first episode of The Modi Question, a documentary on the Gujarat riots, on YouTube on 17 January. The second episode was to release on January 24. Even before this, the central government removed the first episode from YouTube. The Government of India has termed the documentary as propaganda against Prime Minister Modi and the country. Foreign Ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi said that we do not know what is the agenda behind the documentary, but it is not fair. This is propaganda against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Uproar over screening of banned documentary in many government institutions
Stones pelted during screening in JNU
Some JNU students were about to screen a banned BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The administration had appealed to the students not to screen the documentary, but they were not ready to accept it. The JNU administration had told the students that such activities could disturb peace and harmony in the university.
The students did not relent and planned to screen the documentary on Tuesday at 9 pm. JNU Student Union President Aishe Ghosh shared the QR code to download the documentary on the mobile phones of the students. The documentary was being shown on this. During this, stones were pelted on the students. It is not known who pelted the stones. Taking advantage of the darkness, the attackers fled. Earlier, the electricity and internet of the student union office here was shut down, which was restored late last night. Aishe has lodged a complaint against 25 people.
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